{"id":4837,"date":"2013-06-20T16:16:03","date_gmt":"2013-06-20T16:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/?p=4837"},"modified":"2013-07-19T09:08:02","modified_gmt":"2013-07-19T09:08:02","slug":"vw-transporter-smashes-top-gear-nurburgring-lap-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4837","title":{"rendered":"VW Transporter Smashes Top Gear Nurburgring Lap Record"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Revo

The Revo Volkswagen T5 on the Nurburgring<\/p><\/div>\n

Top Gear fans will undoubtedly remember watching German racer and ‘ring expert Sabine Schmitz set a new lap record around the Nurburgring in a Ford Transit, a few years ago.<\/p>\n

Until recently, that record — for the fastest commercial vehicle lap of the ‘ring — has stood. But no more.<\/p>\n

Perhaps fittingly, the lap record has been reclaimed by a German van, a modified VW T5 Transporter that smashed the record by breaking through the 10 minute barrier.<\/p>\n

Volkswagen tuning experts Revo were sure that the lap time set by Ms Schmitz could be improved upon, with a little preparation.<\/p>\n

To that end, it acquired a used T5 with 80,000 miles on the clock, and then breathed on it slightly, adding a\u00a0bespoke ECU remap, Milltek \u2018turbo-back\u2019 exhaust system and a Forge intercooler\/oil cooler combination. This was enough to take the engine to an impressive 220bhp and deliver a healthy increase in torque, too.<\/p>\n

\"Modifications

Revo’s modifications were limited to tyres, suspension and exhaust, in addition to an engine remap that boosted output to 220bhp and an uprated intercooler.<\/p><\/div>\n

Although the T5 is one of the best-riding vans on the road, handling and roadholding was improved with the addition of BILSTEIN\u2019s well-proven B14 coilover kit, a quartet of lightweight Team Dynamics wheels and a set of sticky, but fully road legal, Direzza boots from Revo\u2019s tyre partner, Dunlop.<\/p>\n

With this lot fitted, the ethos was simple:<\/p>\n